Hip splint



June 16, 1936. J. E. HAWLEY HIP SPLINT Filed Nov. 11, 1955 INVENTOR. M553: 5. film v40;

BY Wan/L ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1936 UNETEE STATES FATENT @FFEQE HIP SPLINT Jesse E. Hawley, Warsaw,

Ind, assignor to Zim- 15 Claims.

This invention relates to surgical appliances such as are used in the reduction and immobilization of broken legs and hip and pelvis bones.

The invention has special reference to a device of this character wherein a sound hip is used as the means to fixedly support the appliance in traction producing relation to the injured memher, a counter-traction or compression stress being produced at the sound hip. The invention is, therefore, preferably termed a hip splint.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel device of this character by the use of which a fracture may be reduced and immobilized without removal of the patient from his bed and by the doctor or surgeon alone, other skilled assistance being unnecessary.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a novel appliance of this character which, when in use, does not require the patient to lie in prone position since he may move between prone and reclining positions without disarranging the splint or reducing traction on the injured leg.

The traction produced by this splint is preferably skeletal traction, a Steinman pin being employed for this purpose.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel device of this character wherein provision is made for applying equal traction to both ends of the pin,

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel spring arrangement for permitting relative adjustment of the well hip and injured leg parts during application of the splint.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure l is a perspective view of the novel appliance, the Steinman pin being shown in one position in full lines and in a second position in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the plane 2-?. of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail elevation showing the manner of adjusting a certain cross bar connecting the well leg and injured leg parts, so that the cross bar is disposed at an angle to the well hip.

In the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed there is provided for the well leg a stirrup consisting of a pair of side members In. An arm I l is securely riveted to the inner side of the side members and these two arms are arranged in lapping relation, one arm lying fiat on top of the other. Longitudinal slots 52 are formed in the arms I l and register so that securing bolts l3 may be passed through these slots, the bolts being provided with wing nuts M. By tightening the nuts the arms H, which form the bottom of the stirrup, are fixed in adjusted relation. Thereby the side members lfi may move adjustably toward and from each other and be secured in adjusted position.

The side members It! extend below the stirrup bottom and are provided with vertically spaced holes M to receive bolts 16 provided with Wing nuts i1. These holes E5 in each side member are provided so that the bolts It may be selectively positioned on the side members.

A cross bar I8 is provided, adjacent one end, with a pair of aligned slots 19 through which the bolts IE pass, the nuts I! serving to clamp the cross bar in adjusted position to the side members ID. The slots l9 permit three diiferent kinds of adjustment between the side members and cross bar. First, these slots permit the adjustment of the side members I!) toward and from each other. Second, the stirrup may be adjusted bodily along the bar. Third, the stirrup and cross bar may be adjusted, as in Figure 3, to various angular relations. Of course, any two or all of these adjustments may be eifected at the same time, the nuts I! clamping the parts in whatever positions of adjustment are effected between the stirrup and cross bar.

Fixed to the other end of the cross bar is an angle bracket 2&3 wherethrough passes a pin 2|. A second angle bracket 22 is provided with a slot 23 wherethrough the pin 2! passes, the cross bar and second bracket being thus pivotally and slidably connected. These angle brackets have parallel horizontal arms and a rod 24 connects these arms and is slidably mounted in at least one arm. A spring 25 surrounds the rod 24 and urges the brackets apart so that the pin 2| normally engages the upper end of the slot 23.

Fixed to the lower end of the bracket 22 is a stirrup bar 26 having sleeves 21 extending upwardly at each end. Through the bar and these sleeves pass sleeve nuts 28 which have knurled heads 29 below the bar. In these sleeves are screwed the shanks of long traction screws 30 which have their upper ends bent to form T-heads 3| whereon are slidably and revolubly mounted pin holders 32 in the form of cylin- 'drical blocks having suitable openings for the T-heads 3|. Set screws 33 are fitted in the upper ends of the pin holders 32 and engage the T- heads 3| to fix the pin holders in desired adjusted positions. Also these pin holders are provided with suitable openings to receive the end portions of a Steinman pin 34.

In using the splint the side members H! are adjusted to the desired distance apart and there held by the nuts [4 and bolts l3. The nuts I! are loosened to permit this adjustment. The stirrup formed by the members I0 and II is now attached to the well leg by a suitable plaster cast. Next the pin 34 is inserted through a bone of the fractured leg at a point selected by the surgeon or doctor and there held by a suitable bandage or plaster cast so that its ends project. The pin holders are now fitted on the ends of the pin, being loosened to slide and revolve on the T-heads for this purpose and the heads being raised or lowered by manipulation of the screw sleeves 28 by their knurled heads 29. At the same time the cross bar I8 is adjusted and secured. In doing this it may be necessary to compress the spring 25. When the parts are all adjusted to suit the requirements of the case they are fixed in adjustment by tightening the thumb screws 33 and nuts IT. The knurled heads 29 are now turned to apply whatever tension is necessary to reduce the fracture, the screws 30 being held from rotation by their connection through the pin carriers with the pin. When the doctor is satisfied that the fracture has been reduced and proper traction exists a plaster cast is applied to hold the second stirrup and to immobilize the injured leg.

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup, an injured leg stirrup, a bar fixed to the first stirrup and connecting said stirrups, said second stirrup having rigid side members adjustable for length, screw means to adjust the lengths of said side members independently, pin holders mounted on the upper ends of said second stirrup sides the upper ends of said second stirrup sides being provided with means for slidable and rotatable adjustment of the pin holders, and means to secure the pin holders in adjusted position. 4

2. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup, an injured leg stirrup, a bar fixed to the first stirrup and connecting said stirrups, said second stirrup having side members adjustable for length, means to adjust the lengths of said side members independently, T-heads on the upper ends of the said sides of the second stirrup, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, and means to secure the pin holders to the T-heads in adjusted positions.

3. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup, an injured leg stirrup, a bar fixed to the first stirrup and connecting said stirrups, said second stirrup having side members adjustable for length, means to adjust the lengths of said side members independently, T- heads on theupper ends of the said sides of the second stirrup, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, and means to secure the pin holders to the T-heads in adjusted positions, said T-heads being arranged for swivelling movement on the axes of the stirrup sides to accommodate the positions of the pin holders. 7

4. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having rigid sides adjustable independently for length and screw means to so adjust said last sides, pin holders mounted on the upper ends of the last sides, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto.

5. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having rigid sides adjustable independently for length and screw means to so adjust said last sides, pin holders mounted on the upper ends of the last sides, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection.

6. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, pin holders mounted on the upper ends of the last sides, a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection, and a spring associated with the pin and slot connection to hold the second stirrup normally depressed with respect to the bar.

7. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently ior length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said Theads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto.

8. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection.

9. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust 7 said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having the second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection, and a spring associated with the pin and slot connection to hold the second stirrup normally depressed with respect to the bar.

10. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, said T-heads having swivelling movement on the axes of the extensible sides to accommodate the positions of the pin holders, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having a second stirrup connected thereto.

11. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means, to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, said T-heads having swivelling movement on the axes of the extensible sides to accommodate the positions of the pin holders, and a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having a second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection.

12. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, said T-heads having swivelling movement on the axes of the extensible sides to accommodate the positions of the pin holders, a bar fixed immovably to the first stirrup and having a second stirrup connected thereto by a pin and vertical slot connection, and a spring associated with the pin and slot connection to hold the second stirrup normally depressed with respect to the bar.

13. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, a cross bar, means to fix one end of the cross bar immovably in desired longitudinal and angular adjustment to the first stirrup, and a connection between the other end of the cross bar and the second stirrup.

14. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in bar, means to fix one end of the cross bar immovably in desired longitudinal and angular adjustment to the first stirrup, and a pin and slot connection between the other end of the cross bar and the second stirrup.

15. In a splint of the kind described, a positioning stirrup including spaced sides and an extensibly adjustable bottom member, means to secure the extensible member in adjusted position, an injured leg stirrup having sides adjustable independently for length and means to so adjust said last sides, T-heads on the upper ends of said extensible sides, pin holders slidably and rotatably adjustable on said T-heads, means to secure the T-heads in adjusted positions, a crossbar, means to fix one end of the cross bar immovably in desired longitudinal and angular adjustment to the first stirrup, a pin and slot connection between the other end of the cross bar and the second stirrup, and a spring associated with the pin and slot connection to hold the second stirrup normally depressed with respect to the bar.

JESSE E. HAWLEY.

adjusted positions, a cross a 

